Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles in the Premier League continued with another painful defeat, as Bournemouth claimed a vital late win in their battle for survival. On a night that briefly promised relief for Spurs, it once again ended in frustration, disappointment, and growing concern.
The result did nothing to ease the pressure on Thomas Frank, whose decisions before and during the game are now being questioned more loudly with each passing week.
For a moment, it looked as though Spurs might escape the south coast with a point. João Palhinha produced a stunning overhead kick with less than fifteen minutes left on the clock, a goal that showed desire, timing, and belief. It was the kind of moment Tottenham have been missing far too often this season. Unfortunately, that sense of relief was short-lived.
Antoine Semenyo, a player Spurs were linked with during the winter window, delivered the final blow in stoppage time. His late winner felt cruel, but it was also deserved, as Bournemouth showed more hunger when it mattered most.
This defeat made it painfully clear that several Tottenham players failed to meet the required standard once again. Micky van de Ven endured a night to forget at the heart of defence alongside Cristian Romero. The Dutch defender struggled badly, failing to win any of his tackles and losing the majority of his aerial duels.
He looked uncomfortable throughout the game and was unable to provide the stability Spurs needed at the back. His frustration boiled over late on, as he picked up a booking for protesting a penalty decision and was later seen confronting supporters after the final whistle. That moment alone summed up the disconnect between players and fans.
In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur also failed to impress. The Uruguayan has had difficult spells this season, and this was another performance that raised concerns. He gave the ball away repeatedly, struggled to control the tempo, and offered very little in the final third. Despite remaining on the pitch for most of the match, his impact was minimal, and Spurs looked no sharper with him in the middle of the park.
However, the spotlight fell most heavily on one player whose performance stood out for all the wrong reasons. Randal Kolo Muani was given the chance to lead the line ahead of Richarlison, but the decision backfired badly.
The French forward looked isolated, short of confidence, and unable to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. His involvement in the game was shockingly low, to the point where Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, saw far more of the ball than him.
Below is a clear look at Kolo Muani’s numbers from the match, which underline just how difficult his evening was.
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 67 |
| Touches | 19 |
| Passes completed | 6 |
| Duels lost | 91% |
| Dribbles completed | 0 |
| Possession lost | 8 |
| Aerials won | 0 |
| Fouls committed | 2 |
These figures paint a worrying picture. Kolo Muani managed just 19 touches in over an hour on the pitch, a remarkably low number for a central striker. He completed only six passes and failed to complete a single dribble.
Even more concerning was his physical battle, as he lost almost every duel he contested. He did not register a single shot on goal and never truly troubled Bournemouth’s defence.
While he did attempt to press and disrupt without the ball, that effort resulted in two fouls and another yellow card, his third since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain. That lack of control and effectiveness only added to the frustration. Unsurprisingly, his display earned him a harsh but fair 3 out of 10 rating, with many observers describing him as anonymous.
For Thomas Frank, this performance leaves little room for debate. Continuing to start Kolo Muani in his current form is a gamble Spurs cannot afford. Richarlison, despite his own inconsistencies, offers more physical presence, movement, and threat in the penalty area.
At a time when Tottenham are dangerously close to the bottom half of the table and drifting toward another forgettable season, hard decisions must be made.
Tottenham now have just one win in their last six league matches, and the gap between them and the relegation conversation is far smaller than it should be. Confidence is low, belief is fading, and the January window feels more important than ever.
Whether Frank is the man to turn things around remains a serious question, but one thing is clear. Changes are needed, and they are needed quickly, if Spurs want to avoid another season defined by disappointment rather than progress.
